The Four Protectors

Four

I was making notes on the research I'd done about the vampire clans in the area when the boys walked in. It was just ten minutes to sunrise and I wasn't going to deny the fact that they'd had me slightly concerned for like a millisecond. Desmond went straight for the bed without so much as a word while Azriel shot me a small grin before heading for the shower.

Cassius sat down next to me and looked at my notes with confusion.

"There was a murder by vampires, a girl named Ruby Simpson and it's one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen," I started.

"You were there when she was murdered," he asked, eyes wide.

"No, I saw it on the news and went to investigate. Here, look," I said.

He scrolled through the pictures of the crime photos I'd taken. His face paled. I gave his hand a comforting squeeze as I took the phone back from him.

"You don't have to help me figure this out. This isn't part of the mission," I stated.

"Are you kidding? Of course I'm going to help you. What if something like that happens to someone else," he asked angrily.

For the next half hour, we narrowed down the five potential clans that lived in the area and circled a few areas on the local map where some clan members might be. I was busy debating our next move when cold breath hit the side of my neck. I shuddered involuntarily.

"Try Nightfall Clan's site first. They're the closest to the girl's apartment," Desmond said.

It took me a second to refocus on the site his long fingers were pointed at. Cassius leaned closer with a frown, his shoulder brushing mine. The contrast of heat and cold I was sandwiched between wasn't doing good things for my nerves.

Focus Catherine for the love of God.

"Blacksun has the most infractions according to what I can access from the school's files," Cassius said.

"This isn't some troublemaker's work Cassius. These are madmen, well madvamps," Desmond said icily.

The ice wasn't meant for Cassius though. Ruby Simpson's murder troubled Desmond, perhaps more than it troubled either of them.

Cassius backed down. Desmond turned to me with a look that clearly read, 'Do you need to be argued with?' Figuring that was just a waste of time, I just rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the map.

"All right Nightfall first. You happy you grouch," I snapped playfully.

Desmond smiled wide. A bit too wide so his fangs were peaking out as well. Cassius and I cringed away from him at the same.

Desmond's face had definitely been crafted for scowling.

"I should probably make some wooden stakes for us to take just in case," Cassius said.

I nodded. He was about to leave but Desmond yanked him down by the shoulder. The boy winced as he hit the floor with a thud.

"You think I'm letting you two go into vampire territory without me," he asked incredulously.

"I don't think you're letting us do anything because we weren't asking for your permission," I retorted.

"I didn't mean that as an insult to how strong either of you two are. It's just smarter to take a vampire into a vampire clan. If you want to ask around, investigate, you're more likely to get the answers you want with me there," he said calmly.